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Irritable bowel syndrome in patients with Blastocystis hominis infection
A Giacometti1, O Cirioni, A Fiorentini
1Institute of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, University of Ancona, AN, Italy. cmalinf@popcsi.unian.it
Abstract:
The prevalence of Blastocystis hominis in stool specimens of individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms was evaluated to study a possible link between the protozoan and the irritable bowel syndrome. According to the Rome diagnostic criteria, 388 patients were evaluated. Altogether, 81 patients were classified as affected by irritable bowel syndrome. Blastocystis hominis was recovered from the stools of 38 subjects, 15 of whom belonged to the group with irritable bowel syndrome (P = 0.006). In addition, patients with irritable bowel syndrome were significantly more likely to have five or more Blastocystis hominis organisms per field (P = 0.031). In conclusion, there was a set of patients with irritable bowel syndrome in whom the presence of Blastocystis hominis may not be incidental.
Insights
Blastocystis hominis, a common protozoan, was found more frequently in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This suggests a potential link between this parasite and IBS symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder.
- The role of parasitic infections in IBS pathogenesis remains unclear.
- Blastocystis hominis is a frequently detected intestinal protozoan parasite.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.
- To determine if there is an association between Blastocystis hominis and irritable bowel syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Stool specimens from 388 individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms were analyzed.
- Patients were evaluated using the Rome diagnostic criteria for IBS.
- Prevalence and density of Blastocystis hominis were assessed in relation to IBS diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Blastocystis hominis was identified in 38 subjects.
- Fifteen of the 81 diagnosed IBS patients were positive for Blastocystis hominis (P = 0.006).
- IBS patients showed a significantly higher likelihood of having five or more Blastocystis hominis organisms per field (P = 0.031).
Conclusions:
- The study indicates a statistically significant association between Blastocystis hominis and irritable bowel syndrome.
- The presence of Blastocystis hominis may not be coincidental in a subset of IBS patients.
- Further research is warranted to explore the etiological role of Blastocystis hominis in IBS.